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Scott Strubel, one of the top channel executives at storage vendor NetApp, has decided to leave the company. Strubel, in an email to CRN, wrote that he is leaving NetApp after a seven-year run to spend less time on the road and consider his future options in the tech industry.

"I’ve decided to resign and take a little time off before re-entering the tech sector. During those seven years at NetApp, I put in over 1,000 nights on the road and, after that average of 145 nights per year in hotel beds, I decided it was time for a break," Strubel wrote.

Strubel's role at NetApp will temporarily handled by Thomas Stanley, senior vice president and general manager of Sunnyvale, Calif.-based NetApp's Americas business, according to a statement emailed to CRN by a NetApp spokesperson.

"[Stanley] notified the NetApp Americas channel team that Scott Strubel, channel leader for the Americas, has left the company due to personal reasons. The team is reporting to Thomas and NetApp is conducting a search for the replacement. We wish Scott all the best and thank him for his many contributions," NetApp wrote in that statement.

Strubel did a lot for NetApp during his seven years at the company, said John Woodall, vice president of engineering at Integrated Archive Systems (IAS), a Palo Alto, Calif.-based solution provider and longtime NetApp channel partner.

"I remember when he joined NetApp," Woodall told CRN. "It was a breath of fresh air for the channel. Scott emphasized partner profitability. He emphasized developing partner services. He established a road show program to train partners so there was less need to go to NetApp for training."

Strubel knew how to follow up on channel action items, Woodall said. "He was always taking good notes in meetings, and did well with follow-ups," he said. "I enjoyed working with him. I'm sorry to see him go."

Woodall recently joined NetApp's Partner Advisory Council and said the most recent meeting was definitely "Scott's show."

Woodall also said partners should not expect Stanley to be a passive caretaker of the channel while NetApp looks to replace Strubel.

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